 Silver Seed Farms |
“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”
–Albert Einstein |
Green News
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Ozark Rivers Earth Day Poster and Art Contest, sponsored by the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District
For ALL K-12 students in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries,
Phelps, Pulaski and Washington Counties.
Contest deadline: March 21, 2013
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Ozark Rivers Earth Day Poster and Art Contest, sponsored by the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District
For ALL K-12 students in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries,
Phelps, Pulaski and Washington Counties.
Contest deadline: March 21, 2013
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Straw Bale Building Method Studied for Earthquake Readiness
The objective of this research project was to determine the capacity of clay plastered, load bearing, straw bale wall assemblies under in-plane cyclic loading, and the performance of a small full-scale straw bale house using shake table simulation. Read the article...
Pakistan Straw Bale and Appropriate Building (PAKSBAB)is a non-profit organization created in response to the Kashmir earthquake that devastated Northern Pakistan in October 2005. Their mission is to adapt, apply and transfer straw bale and other appropriate building methods to protect and improve the lives of the poor, especially in earthquake and extreme weather regions of the developing world.
How to Get High on Soil, article from The Atlantic
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Missouri ranks in bottom 10 for energy efficient states
The state of Missouri scored 8.5 out of a total 50 points, receiving a ranking of 44, in the fifth edition scorecard released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy last week.
The State Energy Efficiency Scorecard rates and evaluates states’ policies and programs regarding energy efficiency in commercial, residential and transportation sectors. Read More in Missouri University's news publication, The Maneater. |
19 Easy Home Winterization Projects
Make your home feel warmer without turning up the heat this winter. With these winterization tips, you'll save energy without spending much money
Read more and see the slideshow in The Daily Green.
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Green Kitchen Makeover: 10 Do's and Don'ts
Eating healthy, fresh and safe foods starts with good habits in the kitchen. These simple eco-friendly tips will help you green your kitchen. By Dan Shapley Read the article and see the slideshow, From the daily green |
The Dirty Dozen: 12 Foods to Eat Organic
When shopping for these fruits, vegetables and other foods with the highest pesticide residue, buy organic (or choose alternative foods low in pesticide residue). By The Daily Green Read more |
Volatile Organic Compounds May Worsen Allergies and Asthma
Children who sleep in bedrooms containing fumes from water-based paints and solvents are two to four times more likely to suffer allergies or asthma, according to a new scientific study.
By Marla Cone and Environmental Health News October 20, 2010 Read the article in Scientific American. |
Organization continues to campaign for a coal-free campus
In order to raise awareness about health-related issues caused by the coal-fired power plant on MU’s campus, Coal Free Mizzou set up an 18-foot inflatable inhaler on Carnahan Quadrangle on Tuesday to spread asthma awareness.
“My asthma has never been as severe as it is when I am on Mizzou’s campus,” senior Allyson Wilson said. “We are paying for an education, not paying to develop asthma.” Read the entire article at Missouri University's publication, The Maneater. |
Another Jump in Thin-Film Solar Efficiency Written by Philip Proefrock on 01/06/11
"Researchers at Empa (the Swiss national research laboratory) have achieved a new record in thin-film solar cell efficiency. The flexible solar cells are made from copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), and these cells have achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 18.7 percent." Read more...from Ecogeek.org.
Southern Oregon Getting EV Quick-Chargers in First Phase of "Green Highway" Written by Megan Treacy on 02/06/11
"As part of the Green Highway project where California, Oregon and Washington are partnering to turn Interstate 5 into the first alternative-fuel-friendly freeway in the U.S., AeroVironment is installing Level 3 EV quick chargers along the route in Southern Oregon." Read More...from Ecogeek.org.
Missouri Conservation Department's New Office Earns EPA's Energy Star Award
The Sedalia Office of the Missouri Department of Conservation joins the Northeast Regional Office in Kirksville in receiving this award. The Missouri Conservationist magazine states "the Energy Star award recognizes the Conservation Department's efforts to incorporate energy-efficient technologies and practices into facility construction, operation and maintenance. These include geothermal heating, maximizing the use of natural daylight, efficient fluorescent lighting, an outside air recovery unit, window tinting, good insulation and a commitment by staff to practice energy conservation." Additionally, the "building must perform in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency."
Read the article. |
Solar Scorecard Assesses the Manufacture of Solar PanelsFrom EcoGeek.org:
"Solar panels are one of the greenest and least controversial types of renewable power generation technology. Some neighborhoods don't like how they look on roofs of houses, but there are no concerns about harming wildlife, as with wind turbines or tidal power systems. And the technology to make them is continuing to improve. But not all solar panels are created equally. Solar panels are energy intensive to produce, and potentially harmful materials such as cadmium and lead are sometimes used in their production. The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition has begun to assemble a 'Solar Scorecard' that evaluates solar panel manufacturers." Read the article, bearing in mind that there were very few surveys actually returned by companies. This may be a good start, though. |
Solar Roadway Project Takes Off
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"Suppose we made a section of road out of (airplane "black box") material and housed solar cells to collect energy, which could pay for the cost of the panel, thereby creating a road that would pay for itself over time.
What if we added LEDs to "paint" the road lines from beneath, lighting up the road for safer night time driving? What if we added a heating element in the surface (like the defrosting wire in the rear window of our cars) to prevent snow/ice accumulation in northern climates? The ideas and possibilities just continued to roll in and the Solar Roadway project was born...Our long range goal is to cover all concrete and asphalt surfaces that are exposed to the sun with Solar Road Panels. This will lead to the end of our dependency on fossil fuels of any kind." See the 4 minute video. For more information, go to solarroadways.com. |
Go to the Solar Roadways website to vote for this innovative idea to receive funding from GE's $200 million Ecomagination Challenge. Voting often in three categories is crucial to keeping this company on GE's radar for this exciting grant! |
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Making the Grid Work for Renewable Energy
The new acting chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission wants to use "creative mechanisms" within the agency's authority to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. As the head of FERC, Jon Wellinghoff said he will priortize infrastructure efficiency and the integration of renewable energy into the grid, and will support the use of distributed and demand-side resources, which he described as "very underutilized in this country." Read more... from Scientific American. |
California Proposes First Renewable Energy Storage Requirements
Yesterday Attorney General Jerry Brown announced a completely new kind of renewable energy legislation, introduced by State Assembly member Nancy Skinner - designed to add more renewable energy storage to the grid. Read more... From Scientific American
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Community Connections
We would like to encourage regional food (and other) development and exchange - perhaps a virtual community - here in the south central Ozarks, to connect local producers with consumers. A friendly reminder: shop locally and go to your local Farmer's Market.
Please scroll down for local services. We'll be adding to this list, so be sure to check back frequently! Any additions? Contact us.
Energy Auditing/Trainers
Environmental Energy Consultants - Certified Energy Auditors and Home Performance Experts at www.environmentalenergyconsultants.com.
Dan Payne is a local BPI Certified Building and Energy Analyst and will perform a very thorough energy audit, which is eligible for a tax credit through the new Federal Tax Incentive program, in addition to the state and utility incentives now available (check out the incentives here). He can also help you weatherize your home and greatly increase its efficiency. Contact Dan at enviroec@gmail.com.
Dan Payne is a local BPI Certified Building and Energy Analyst and will perform a very thorough energy audit, which is eligible for a tax credit through the new Federal Tax Incentive program, in addition to the state and utility incentives now available (check out the incentives here). He can also help you weatherize your home and greatly increase its efficiency. Contact Dan at enviroec@gmail.com.
Environmental Education
Earth's Classroom - Environmental Learning Center, located in Rosebud, MO, is a non-profit 501c(3) organization whose mission is "to use experiential education to advance awareness, understanding and appreciation of ecology, cultural history and their interrelationship." As of June 1, 2009, Earth's Classroom has worked with 32,600 participants since 1999!
Programs include family and school ecology programs, as well as Adventure Education on location at exciting natural locales. To learn more about this awesome organization and the enthusiastic teachers on staff, Bill and Jody Miles, check out www.earthsclassroom.org.
Programs include family and school ecology programs, as well as Adventure Education on location at exciting natural locales. To learn more about this awesome organization and the enthusiastic teachers on staff, Bill and Jody Miles, check out www.earthsclassroom.org.
Onondaga Friends Association (OFA) is an all-volunteer, non-profit group dedicated to helping Onondaga Cave State Park in Leasburg, MO, through volunteerism. Volunteers help with projects, special events and fundraising, all of which go to help the park in its mission of education, conservation and preservation. This is a wonderful park, which also accepts donations. Donations given through the OFA will go directly to Onondaga Cave State Park and not into the general fund. Please check out their website at www.onondagafriends.com to see what the Friends group is up to. Visit Onondaga Cave State Park when you can, and enjoy the natural beauty, history and events of all of Missouri's State Parks! www.mostateparks.com
Farm/Lodging
We are committed to providing our customers with great produce, products, events and information!
We deliver healthy living to you! We offer fresh produce delivery to Steelville, Sullivan, Bourbon, Cuba, St. James and Rolla. The boxes can be brought to your home, office or local business drop off locations. http://thegardenbasket.biz/wp/
We deliver healthy living to you! We offer fresh produce delivery to Steelville, Sullivan, Bourbon, Cuba, St. James and Rolla. The boxes can be brought to your home, office or local business drop off locations. http://thegardenbasket.biz/wp/
From Kimker Hill Farm blogspot:
"Our gardens provide us with the best and purest of food, matchless beauty, and the ultimate earth science classroom for our homeschooled boys.
Sustainability is a popular buzz word among small scale agriculture. To us it means giving more than you take. Putting back what you use. Remembering that this beautiful earth will last forever and it's our commision to care for. In our gardens we try hard to follow these ideals and work with the earth's design, not against it..."
This is a fifth-generation family- owned and operated small farm, which uses organic practices and is located just outside of St. Louis. Check out their very nice blog at http://kimkerhillfarm.blogspot.com/.
"Our gardens provide us with the best and purest of food, matchless beauty, and the ultimate earth science classroom for our homeschooled boys.
Sustainability is a popular buzz word among small scale agriculture. To us it means giving more than you take. Putting back what you use. Remembering that this beautiful earth will last forever and it's our commision to care for. In our gardens we try hard to follow these ideals and work with the earth's design, not against it..."
This is a fifth-generation family- owned and operated small farm, which uses organic practices and is located just outside of St. Louis. Check out their very nice blog at http://kimkerhillfarm.blogspot.com/.
Meramec Farms ~ Cabins and Trail Rides
"Ride horses for an hour or for days while experiencing the pleasures of country living in your own cozy cabin. Your hosts provide family-friendly cabins lodging in Missouri and just the right amount of involvement to make your visit tranquil or adventurous."
Go to www.meramecfarm.com or contact Carol at 573-732-4765 or carolspringer@centurytel.net.
Photography and Video
for Parents and Children
Talk Birth
Celebrating Women, Transforming Birth
Childbirth Classes in Rolla, Missouri
Celebrating Women, Transforming Birth
Childbirth Classes in Rolla, Missouri
Do you want to increase your confidence in the natural process of birth? Are you ready to experience birth’s transforming power with respect and dignity and in safety, support, and trust? Serving Rolla, Missouri and surrounding communities, Molly Remer, a Certified Childbirth Educator, offers independent birthing classes. These childbirth classes will encourage you to respect birth as a rite of passage, a sacred and intimate life experience, and a creative endeavor.
Reach Molly at http://talkbirth.wordpress.com/.
Reach Molly at http://talkbirth.wordpress.com/.
